Making Progress Towards My Goals - March 2024 Update

I had a little downtime at the beginning of March, but then I spent more than two weeks on the road.

Financial

My goal this year is to invest 40% of my gross income from meeting work - 30% to index funds and 10% to something more aggressive.  I remain on track in Month 3.

In March, I earned $8,313* from meeting work.  I transferred $3,300 (39.7% of meeting income) to my brokerage accounts. I purchased shares of the Vanguard Total World Stock Index Admiral Fund for the 30%.  For the "more aggressive" investment, I bought 100 shares of Bayer (BAYRY).

In addition to these investments, I made a $1,000 contribution to my ROTH IRA in March.

Last month I said I was shifting to liquid investments due to potential capital calls for some of my real estate syndications, and it's likely that will continue.  However, I felt comfortable adding to my index fund this time.  I am expecting a tax refund in April which will pad my cash cushion.  I did receive a capital call for the new development in Columbus, OH, but I have enough cash on hand to fund it.

*This will not match what I report in my income blog as payments aren't always received in the month the work was performed.

Health

I'm doing well meeting my exercise goals by exercising at least 5x/week.  

Simplify

Adding a few things to the donation bin is becoming a routine.  I didn't actively declutter, but whenever I stumble on something I don't need, it either gets trashed or donated.

Have Fun, on a Budget

I want to limit the fun budget to $5,000 in 2024.  In March I booked a flight to Asheville for a trip on Allegiant Airlines this month, but then canceled plans when I picked up a 7 day meeting over those days.  Roundtrip for two was under $184.  I also paid for our AMC A-List subscriptions and the bought some Kava-based drink powders called U Relax.  These are our substitute for alcohol.

My Frugal Miser - March 2024 Income

In March I continued the trend of 5 figure income.  I worked meetings 21 out of 31 days.  I received rental income from both Alabama properties as well as one Realty Mogul distribution and a small monthly distribution from Open Door Capital.  

Open Door continues to pay interest on the promissory note as promised. 

March Income: $11,700

$6,565 Meeting Jobs
$0 Gig Apps (Rideshare, Food Deliveries, etc.)
$0 Amazon Deliveries

$2,648 Rental Income (Rental Expenses:  $359)
$2,373 Interest Income

$50 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value:  $4,840

My investments have steadily increased in value.

My Frugal Miser - March 2024 Expenses

 Don't let my total spending fool you.  March was a frugal month.  Being on the road for work nearly the entire month surely makes it easier to spend less.

• I prepaid $500 towards the water bill to earn a sign up bonus on a new credit card.
• I paid the $95 annual fee for the Chase British Airways card.
• I paid $5,000 towards quarterly taxes.  I just filed my 2023 tax return and can probably adjust that number down moving forward.

Fun

We love adventures.  Spending on experiences makes us better humans.  

• I spent $115 on a product called U Relax.  It's a powdered alcohol-alternative beverage.
• I booked flights on Allegiant for an Asheville trip that we aren't going to take - I was offered a meeting job over those dates and decided to do that instead.

March Expenses:  $6,704

$72 Auto (service, gas, insurance, AAA, etc.)

$95 Bank Fees (annual fees on credit cards)
$230 Clothing/ Personal Care
$356 Fun (vacations, movies, gambling, alcohol, concert tickets)

$366 Food

$247 Health and Dental

$89 Household/Home Repairs

$15 Unreimbursed Job Expense

$394 Reimbursed Job Expense

$0 Interest Expense

$0 Miscellaneous (cat sitter, gifts)

$5,119 Taxes

$509 Utilities 

Making Progress Towards My 2024 Goals - February Update

Here's how I did in February...

Financial

A new goal this year is to invest 40% of my gross income from meeting work - 30% to index funds and 10% to something more aggressive.  I remain on track in Month 2.

In February, I earned $9,102* from meeting work.  I transferred $3,750 (41% of meeting income) to my brokerage accounts. I purchased a 3 month term CD for the 30%.  The "more aggressive" investment has not yet been deployed.  

I am shifting to a more liquid investment (the CD) for now due to the performance of my real estate syndications and the likely need to add cash to those deals.  A few of the deals I invested in are new construction, and those construction loans have to be replaced by standard loans as the debt matures.  One deal I am particularly optimistic about is a development that was just completed in Columbus, OH.  The sponsors announced that a capital call is forthcoming to cover interest expense until the lease-up is complete.  Basically, the buildings are complete, but it takes time to fill them with tenants.  Interest rates are higher today than they were when construction began, so the project requires more cash to pay interest until things stabilize.  I'm willing to fund this shortfall because I am optimistic about the project long-term.

*This will not match what I report in my income blog.  I earned $9,102, but received less than that as payments aren't always received in the month the work was performed.

Health

I'm doing well meeting my exercise goals.  Last week I worked an event in Chicago for 8 days.  I visited the fitness center 5 of those days.  I also exceeded 10,000 steps on 5 days.  Unfortunately I made some mistakes on my diet.  I ate dessert twice and had carbs in the form of french fries, sandwiches and breaded fish multiple times.  There were some stressful personal events going on last week and I always use food as a coping mechanism.  Bad habit, no excuses.

Simplify

I worked so much last month that I was barely home.  I plan to add more to the donation box in March.

Have Fun, on a Budget

I want to limit the fun budget to $5,000 in 2024.  I didn't purchase any travel in February.  The fun budget was limited to our AMC A-List subscriptions and the purchase of some Kava-based drink powders.